Calderdale Way relay 08.05.2011

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“Calderdale Way relay 08.05.2011 – Open Team 115

At 5am in the morning the temperature was already into double figures and after a night of torrential downpours it was anyone’s guess as to whether it was going to be a warm & wet day or just warm. Fortunately it turned out to be the latter and a lovely warm, sunny day ensued – a very rare treat for this relay which is usually run in the freezing cold of winter.
I must firstly say a huge big special ‘Thank you’ to Mark Burns & Susan Flatters who both stepped in at the very last minute enabling a complete team to still compete.
The team was set off by Debbie Campbell & Suzanne Budgett. We had quite a bit of single file running but nonetheless the leg was a decent route encountering the usual slippery cobbled paths, fields, tracks & tarmac. Debbie needed a faster partner really as she has improved so much over the past few months but she got a good Sunday run out of it & relay experience & I had a good workout! We passed over to Claire & Mark Burns who both enjoyed their run despite Claire panicking that Hubby Mark would be waiting for her (wait til men have babies!!!). They both ran superbly well and hopefully we’ll see more of them on the circuit. Next leg was very new pairing Fran Walker & Susan Flatters who had both only met the previous day at Belmont Winter Hill race. Both were new to relays and both ran and handled the situation extremely well. An excerpt follows courtesy of Fran – ‘The weather gods smiled on leg 3 when the clouds cleared and the sun came out. The shortest leg has the penalty of being almost entirely uphill however good tracks and marvellous views helped the climbing. The leg was completed by Fran and Sue, 2 relay virgins who were both relieved to find the changeover at Blackshaw Head within the cut off time and without major navigational mishap. Special thanks are due to Sue who stood in literally at the 11th hour.’
Next off, experienced pair Mary White & Geraldine Walkington who again ran superbly and are both living proof that like a good wine, you can continue to improve with age!
Another new pairing on the next leg saw April Stevenson & Michelle Devine get off to a flying start. Unfortunately, just 3.5 miles in, Michelle fell and twisted her ankle but April helped her round and they bravely completed.
The team was brought home by Rachel Jones & Maria Lowe. The weather by now was pretty hot to say the least but they still had a great run even with the recent London marathon in Maria’s legs.
Thanks to all the team – it was a superb team effort all round & we all pulled it off!”

Suzanne

“The Men’s team was cobbled together at the last minute, and with everyone navigating by either memory or map a creditable 15th position was achieved.

Notable performances came from leg 2 pairing Mick Green and Stuart Edmondson making up 10 places to put the team into 6th, and from the leg 3 pairing of James Kevan and Zac Howe who moved the team into 4th.”

Alastair Murray

Full results here.